Nigeria, May 6 -- A former member of the House of Representatives, Patty Etete, has declared his intention to contest the Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial seat currently held by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, after defecting to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

Mr Etete's move comes amid a growing discontent within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State ahead of the 2027 elections.

The former lawmaker, who represented Ikot Ekpene/Essien Udim/Obot Akara Federal Constituency between 2007 and 2011, resigned in March as a senior legislative aide to Mr Akpabio before leaving the APC for the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

He later exited the ADC, confirming to PREMIUM TIMES that he formally joined the NDC on 4 May...